The farmers protest in 2020 had forced the Centre to repeal its three farm laws, but the Haryana government is now discreetly attempting to abolish the MSP (Minimum Support Price), claims Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Haryana chief minister.
Expressing sorrow for the state’s farmers, the former CM and veteran Congress leader said the implementation of the MSP fixed by the government is a far cry from reality, when, in reality, they are forced to sell crops at prices lower than the production cost.
“For the 2025-26 marketing season, the MSP of wheat has been fixed at ₹2425 per quintal, and the MSP of paddy at ₹2300 per quintal. But, these rates prove to be only on paper as farmers are forced to sell wheat and paddy in the mandis at a rate of ₹300 to ₹400 below the MSP,” he added.
Lashing out at the BJP-majority government in Haryana, Hooda said the maize farmers of the state have also been dealt a huge blow by being denied the MSP that was fixed at ₹2400 per quintal.
Markets in Kurukshetra, Ambala, Karnal, Kaithal and surrounding areas are abound with the arrival of maize crop, “but instead of ₹2400 per quintal MSP, farmers are getting only ₹1000 to 1400, and the rate of completely dried crop is also only ₹1800 at most”, he said.
“BJP is sitting with its eyes closed,” said Hooda.
The party was voted to power by farmers who believed they would be getting the MSP for their crops, said the former CM.
“This government had even planned to abolish MSP by bringing a law. But, it was due to the farmers’ movement that it had to withdraw the law. But now, the government is carrying out its plans indirectly,” he said.
Hooda accused the state government of pressurising the farmers to cultivate maize instead of the water-guzzling paddy by luring them with both incentives and MSP.
“Incentive amount is also announced every year, but every time, the farmers get cheated. Neither do they get incentives, nor MSP,” he said.
The veteran leader said the state government had also failed to fulfil its poll promise of buying paddy at ₹3100 per quintal.
“BJP had promised before the elections that as soon as it comes to power, it will buy paddy at the rate of ₹3100 per quintal. Many farmers voted for BJP after getting misled, but as soon as it grabbed power, it started showing its true colours. Forget ₹3100, even MSP was not given to the farmers,” he added.
The former CM has asked the BJP to stop betraying the farmers and to ensure that all crops are purchased at MSP, so that cultivators can get a fair price for their hard work.
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